Is this the best Indian in Sydney? It just could be!

Chef Mohammed Sali established a little restaurant in Darlinghurst in 2003 that captured the attention of local Sydneysiders and visitors alike.  At the time, what set Malabar apart was the chefs’ philosophy of using only the best and freshest produce available and preparing it with love and care.

To this day Chef Mohammed still handpicks all the fresh produce used in the restaurant as he wants only the best ingredients to enter his kitchen – nothing is pre-prepared. 

Every onion is hand peeled, every piece of meat is hand cut and the spices are grounded each day on the premises.

It is clear to all who meet Mohammed – whose extensive work experience in India and the Middle East has gained him a formidable international reputation – that he is a Chef with loads of passion and expertise when it comes to chatting about his food and how it is prepared.  His dishes reinvent ancient recipes with spectacular taste sensations and you can absolutely taste the quality ingredients used.

Recently we were lucky enough to catch up for Sunday lunch with friends and, as we were tempted to want to try everything on the menu we gave in and settled on the Seafood banquet at AUS$44 per person.  The banquet menus offer amazing value and, as it turned out, provide a great way to initiate you into the cuisine of Southern India.

Just some of the dishes we enjoyed included some pappadums & home made mint chutney, which we enjoyed over a cocktail made with a base of OPIHR Oriental Spiced London Dry Gin.

To take us through the rest of the meal we decided on a bottle of 2012 Torbreck, Woodcutter’s Roussanne Viognier Marsanne from the Barossa Valley.  It paired perfectly with dishes including Patti Samosa, Chicken Tikka & Mellagu Prawns – fresh, delicious tiger prawns tossed in a home made paste using peppercorns, red onion, tomato relish and fennel seeds.

Other items thoroughly enjoyed were mini Masala dosai served with sambhar & coconut chutney; an exellent Goan fish curry; Lamb Varutha featuring lean diced leg of lamb braised with homegrown curry leaves and coarse peppercorns, seasoned with garam masala based on fennel and star anise; a mixed vegetable curry followed by chicken Makhani in a smooth creamy, tomato based sauce, sweetened with honey and flavoured with fenugreek leaves.  All main courses are served with basmati rice & naan.

Malabar has recently relocated to the corner of Victoria and Craigend St in Darlinghurst where it still stays true to its roots and serves up delicious, fresh dishes that bring to life the flavours and atmosphere of South India. 

The new dining space seats 110 and offers a range of dining options from large group tables, through to intimate tables for two and takeaway.

The restaurant is a must do when in Sydney and is located within an easy walk of trains, buses and parking stations, it’s perfectly placed for a quick lunch, a feast dinner, large celebratory events and family get togethers.

Goddess Tip:  Exclusie Sunday Special

Why not try booking in for a Sunday evening meal where Chef Mohammed serves up South Indian Biryani Sunday from 5.30pm.

To book or for more information visit the Malabar website or call +612 9332 1755

Alison Carmichael-Rulten

Hi, I'm Alison Carmichael-Rulten the Publisher of Vacation Goddess, and I want to thank you for visiting Vacation Goddess – the one-stop shop for insider travel news, deals, 'Guest Goddes's stories, and of course our personal travel experiences. Plus, as we love to cruise we also try to find some amazing cruise deals for you too. From luxury, longer escapes right down to weekend breaks we know you love everything travel related. Here at Vacation Goddess, we hope you will find loads of inspiration and of course some amazing travel deals. We love a holiday at a great price and that's why we seek out what we call 'Champagne Experiences, on a Sparkling Wine Budget.' We constantly showcase a variety of special deals and offers and from time to time some very special competitions. Our recent 'Win a Trip to London' competition received over 24,00 entries. We invite you to visit us often, join our mailing list and please tell your friends